About Us
Owner and chef Jan, and artist and organiser Deb, first met five years ago on a three-hour car journey. They talked all the way there, all the way back, and have been chatting ever since. Jan’s dream of turning her beautiful converted tobacco barn into a creative hub found its natural partner in Deb — an experienced workshop tutor of over thirty years who had moved to France hoping for more time to explore her own creativity.
With years of running ski and wellness retreats in the Alps, Jan brings a wealth of hospitality and hosting experience to Walnut Valley, creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere that makes guests instantly feel at home. Supported by Jan’s partner Nigel, the team now welcome guests from around the world to enjoy residential creative retreats in the heart of the Dordogne.
Your Retreat Surroundings
When you join us, you step out of the rush of everyday life and into the calm rhythm of real Périgord living – the France the locals know. It’s a chance to pause, breathe, and make time for yourself; to rest, create, and let inspiration return at its own unhurried pace. Days unfold beside the Dordogne and Céou rivers, among honey-stone villages and ancient châteaux that rise from the valley. Meals are freshly prepared by chef Jan, making the most of the region’s natural abundance – walnuts, figs, garden herbs, soft goat’s cheese, and other seasonal staples – all paired with regional wines and aperitifs chosen to complement each dish.
The Local Area
Between creative sessions, there’s time to wander through medieval lanes, kayak along the river, or picnic on its quiet beaches. Depending on the season you might see kingfishers splash across the water or deer grazing at dusk. It’s a place of peace and gentle energy – a chance to slow down, reconnect, and let the valley work its quiet magic.
